IE20000309A1 - Dynamic routing system for a short message sent by a calling party using a mobile telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

System for a GSM mobile telephone belonging to the network of an operator of mobiles for an intended recipient of a short message (other network of mobiles). The short message (SMS) is composed of a routing envelope with a first field (number of the calling mobile), a second field (number of the first short message transmission centre (SMSC) of the network of the calling mobile), a third field (number of the called mobile), as well as a field reserved for the text of the message. A numbering plan (PN) contains the numbers of the short messages transmission centres and the possible interconnections between the different transmission centres (SMSC) and the switching centres (MSC) of the networks of the called parties (M1a...M4a). A numbering plan manager (GPN) defines the relay transmission centre or centres (SMSC) in order to reach the switching centre (MSC) visited by the called party. <Figure 5>

Description

Dynamic routing system for short messages (SMS) sent by a calling party using a mobile GSM telephone connected to the network of an opc&tsf of niobiles for an intended recipient of short messages (other GSM mobile subscribers or a pager) not belonging to the gam/» mobile telephone network as the calling party, nor necessarily to networks linked by roaming agreements or by interconnection agreements for die transmission of short messages (SMS), q p the short message (SMS) being composed of a routing envelope with a first Π? ji field (El) containing the number of the calling party's mobile, a second field (£2) Sg^L.- 'j . . intended to receive tho number of the first short message transmission centre (SMSC) ’- Z 5 of the network of the operator of the calling party’s mobile, a third field (E3) / I : ;ξ 5 j containing the called mobile number, as well as afield reserved for the text of the O 3 message (TM), ‘ this system comprising short message transmission centres (SMSC) belonging to the same network or to a different network. · cuirently possible from a mobile (GSM or other) capable of composing text messages (known as short messages) and sending them to other mobiles (GSM, pagers, etc.). And also from an INTERNET access.

The number of mobile or Internet access (IAP or ISP), network, operators makes this ideal of interworking difficult, bearing in mind the technical constraints and the commercial restrictions due to competition.

Interest in such a service is increased if the users can send a message without themselves having to know all the agreements made by their GSM or Internet suppliers for sending messages to other networks.

Such a system which is known will first of aU be described below with the aid of Figure 1 which shows in a general manner the means which currently permit transmission of a short message and the structure of the actual short message. - 2 IE000309 In a second part, this prior art will be described in a more detailed manner with the terminology used in this field. Since this terminology is used solely and universally in its Anglo-Saxon form it has been necessary to use this terminology in the detailed description, and a glossary has been given at the end of the description in order to explain the different acronyms and abbreviations used in accordance with international GSM standards According;to Figure1, a mobile telephone petwork (a mobile telephone is more simply called a mobile) is composed of a base terminal station BTS with which the mobile Ml communicates. This terminal BTS as well as other terminals BTS are connected to a base station concentrator BSC. Several such concentrators BSC of one and the same network operator arc connected to a mobile switching centre MSC.

When this centre MSC receives the request for connection of the mobile Ml to a called mobile M2 belonging to the same network, it can establish the communication to this mobile M2 via the same concentrator BSC. or another,base to the terminal BTS to which the mobile M2 belongs.

In the case of a mobile M3 which does not belong to the network, it is necessary for the centre MSC to use an international gateway with the other network in order to communicate.

The networks are represented in a simplified manner in Figure I.

The terminals BTS are distributed territorially in order to be connected to the mobiles of a certain geographical area. AU these BTSs aro connected to a concentrator BSC. There are several such concentrators BSC. These concentrators are themselves connected to a switching centre MSC.

When a request for a call for telephone communication is made by the mobile Ml to the destination of the mobile M2, the mobile Ml indicates solely the number of the mobile M2 to be reached. This request terminates at one of the centres MSC which in order to know the ΪΕ000309 - 3 called M2 from its number must interrogate a database HLR which interprets the number of the called M2 and indicates, if it knows it, the centre MSC which must establish a connection passing via a concentrator BSC, then a terminal BTS.

The database IILR is the database of the subscriber's network containing its location (even on another network) and its profile.

When the tcauicction is established, voice communication can be made between thcfndb'fies Ml and M2.

In order to pass to another network, if Ml wishes io communicate with a mobile M3 belonging to another operator network, the centre MSC reaches the called M3 by passing via a gateway GMSC to the international telephone network.

The possibility of general voice communication nf mobile telephones does not exist for transmission of short messages SMS (short message service) consisting of sending alphanumeric messages to a called party. This called party may be another mobile, of which the screen pennits the message to be displayed in alphanumeric text. It may also be a pager, that is to say a portable tenninal like a mobile but which can only receive written messages.

Currently for the short message service the network includes one or more short message service centres SMSC linked to a centre MSC. Since the short message service is not provided to all subscribers, this possibility of short messages which exists intrinsically on a mobile can only be used if the subscription provides for it.

The request for transmission and the effective transmission of short messages very generally make use of the network of the mobile telephone operator possibly with certain restrictions.

Thus in order to send a short message SMS, the calling mobile Ml sends its message SMS-MO which arrives at a centre MSC. This latter transmits it to the short message centre SMSC which examines the possibility or barring of transmission of the message. If the short IE000309 - 4 message transmission service docs not form part of the possibilities allowed on the mobile Ml, the operation is blocked at this level. But if Ml is authorised to transmit shone messages to other subscribers to the operator’s network the centre SMSC gives this authorisation and the message is then routed towards the called party M2A The connection is established like a voice telephone communication. The centre SMSC is obliged to interrogate the database HLR via the centre MSC in order to know the path to the called M2.

If the network operator has an agreement with another network in lh.c same country, and if the calling party Ml is authorised to benefit from this service, this possibility is confirmed by the centre SMSC; the centre MSC goes back to the database HLR of M2 in order to know the Λ . path to define to the addressee of the message belonging to another network which has a transmission agreement with the present network.

In a general way, the mobile telephone networks are national networks managed by a national operator. For international exchanges the operators have agreements with foreign operators.. who transmit the calls from a mobile in one country to a mobile abroad.

There are also possibilities for use of the mobile telephone ίοτ telephone communication from a foreign country, that is tn say from a different network from the national network to which the mobile Ml subscribes, In this case, by virtue of usage (roaming) agreements the mobile Ml which is in a foreign country can access the local network and use the different terminals BTS, concentrators BSC and centres MSC of the country concerned in order to reach a called, party in this country or in another country.

However, tor different reasons such possibilities do not exist for the transmission of short messages or are not widespread for short mossages or at least these possibilities are very limited.

There are also short message services which are strictly limited to a group of subscribers, It should also be noted that the break in the path of a short message is situated at the level of IE000309 - 5 the centre SMSC. Between the mobile Ml and the centre SMSC the short message is entitled SMS-MO (short message sent from a mobile) whilst downstream of the centre SMSC the message is entitled SMS-MT (a short message sent to a mobile from a service centre).

The transmission of the short messages SMS is explained with the aid of the extremely simplified diagram shown in Figure 1.

When a calling party (subscriber to a mobile telephone network) wishes to send a short message wiih the aid of his mobile Ml (mobile functioning as sender of short messages) he keys in his alphanumeric message and the number of the addressee. This message SMS is sent :,V; · currently to a short message centre SMSC belonging to the network of the operator to which the mobile Ml subscribes.

The number of the SMSC is sci automatically in the mobile MI without the user of the calling mobile having to intervene.

The centre SMSC accepts the transmission of this short message SMS if the called party (receiving mobile or called pager) belongs to the transmission network of the operator to which the mobile Ml subscribes. The transmission is then made by a transmission path which is not explained.

If the message SMS from the mobile Ml is intended for a called party belonging to the network of a different operator but one having an interworking agreement for short messages with the network of the operator of the mobile Ml, the centre SMSC transmits the short message to the called party M3 via a SMS-MT by interrogating the HLR of the network of M3.

In order to permit their transmission, the short messages contain in their header a certain number of items of data concerning the routing and the addressee.

In a more precise manner the diagram of Figure 2 shows the structure of a short message IE000309 - 6 SMS. This message is composed of a routing envelope which constitutes the header of the message and a part reserved for the text of the message (alphanumeric symbols).

The routing envelope ER is composed of a first fielffEI 'containing the number of the calling mobile (MR (Figure 2). A second field E2 of the routing envelope ER is reserved for fhe number of the short message SMS centre. The third field E3 of the envelope ER contains the number of the called party. Finally, the field TM is intended to receive the alphanumeric texr of the short message. This field has a length of 160 characters.

Currently according to the prior art the field El contains the number of the calling mobile. This number is necessary for the management of the message (accounting) but also for the routing of the message and so that the intended recipient of the message knows the caller.

The second field E2 currently contains the number of the short message centre SMSC of the network to Which the mobile Ml subscribes. The transmission of the message is carried out automatically without the message itself Containing data concerning the management of this transmission, lhat is to say the succession of different centres of the operator's network through which the short message MSM transits.

Finally, the third field E3 contains the number of the mobile called.

A detailed description will he given below of the different known processes for transmission of sent messages and restrictions which xnar such transmissions. Π - Reminder of the different current processes for restricting transmission of short messages from a GSM mobile to the mobile of another operator (case where there are roaming agreements) The chain of transmission of a short message to its intended recipient is described below with the aid of Figure 3, which shows two processes for restricting transmission of short messages: - 7 IE000309 A. The operator (HPLMN) where a mobile subscribes bars it from SMS-MO operation (prepay subscription for example).

Process for restriction at the level of the subscription·: ' The VLR of the VPLMN, (visited network) contains a copy of its subscriber profile where the SMS-MO function is barred. In this case the network will return an error message to the subscriber. Naturally, the VPLMN« can be identical to the HPLMN if the mobile is not roaming. This process is -very often, implemented (for example for '’prepay subscriptions).

Sij £. The Service Centre (RPLMN) refuses the SMS-MO.

The SMSC is operated by a third party (RPLMN) or by the subscription operator (HPLMN) without this changing anything apart from the administration of this refusal. The reason for this refusal may be not to load its SMSC for third party traffic. The fbrwardShortMessagc contains the following address data of tho MAP protocol (Messaging Application Protocol) contained in MAP-FORWARD-SHORT-MESSAGE address of the destination Service Centre tho MSl’SDN (subscriber’s number) of the calling mobile the MSISDN (subscriber's number) of the called mobile (in the field Ul) Process for restriction at the level of.the oalled SMSC The Service Centre may therefore refuse the deposit of a message: for subscribers to all the calling networks (except its own) for all except the subscribers of certain calling networks (a list of numbers must be created) (black list) for none but the subscribers of certain networks (red list) (a list of numbers in E164 format (ITU standard as previously) must be created) The called SMSC may be that of the subscription operator (home PLMN) or of a third-party IE000309 - 8 operator (relay PLMN) which has an obligatory roaming agreement permitting an exchange of MAP messages between the networks.

This restriction process is more usual and easily implemented^ Ac level of the SMSCs of the market which are configurable.

C. An international gateway (1GP) between the networks refuses the SMS-MO.

This may be the international gateway at the VLPMN. (transmitting) network end or at the RPLMN (receiving) network end, which, will be systematically the case if there is no roaming agreement.

The restriction at the HPLMNd end (RPLMN=HPLMNtj) may be implemented by analysis of the Calling Party Address of Ac SCCP messages. Π - 2 - 2wl stage: sending a SMS-MT from the Service Centre It should be noted that the restriction processes below must however permit an SMSC to send SMS-MTs to its own subscribers even when they are roaming on another network.

It must also be possible; to bar the other networks possibly from sending SMS-MTs to its own subscribers to allow the other networks to send MSM-MTs to their subscribers when they are roaming with the operator which has implemented the above restriction.

.Example; the roamed SMSCs can send SMS-MTs to subscribers roaming on Chungwha Telecom (Taiwan) but not the Chungwha Telecom subscribers.

The MAP message Send Routing Info for Short Msg sent to. the HLR contains; the MSISDN (subscriber's number) of Ac called mobile - 9 IE000309 the address of the originating Service Centre (RPLMN) It does not contain the MSISDNs (subscriber number) of the calling mobile (if the SMS-MT follows a SMS-MO). ·; ·' ~ The HLR will return the subscriber’s IMSI if it finds it, which will then be used for addressing the transmission of the short message.

It - 2-Ϊ - Description of the mechanism for transmission of MAP messages from the RPLMN to the HPLMN The SMSC sends a MAP message encapsulated in a SCCP message.

Addressing of the SCCP message by the SMSC It is sent in a SCCP message containing: Called Party Address in Q713 format Calling Party Address in Q713 ίοππαζ the address of the calling SMSC Case 1 If the calling SMSC does not know (this necessitates creating a database with the addresses of the HLRs (address El64 or E214) all the HPLMN operators with which the RPLMN has roaming agreements it puts: Calling Party Address = MSISDN of the subscriber who is the intended recipient of the SMS-MT for the Global Title field of lids address.

.Cass.! On the o±er hand if the calling SMSC has the numbering plan of the HPLMN it is capable of deducing (searching a tabic) from the MSISDN of the called subscriber the Global Title El 64 IE000309 - ίο or E214 of the HLR of this subscriber (there is roughly 1 IILR for 100 to 200,000 subscribers). In this cast it puts in: Called Party Address = address of the coiled HLR AAlSAr.

It will be seen below that in this case for the (receiving) HPLMN this removes the possibility of restriction at the level of the receiving TGP.

Addressing of the MTP message to the transmitting TCP inf foe RPLMhTl The SCCP message containing Lhe MAP message must be sent by the SMSC to the transmitting IGP. For this the SMSC carries out an address translation (into Semaphore Point”) which will permit the RPLMN to carry out the routing of the message to the transmitting IGP, known this time, by a Semaphore Point address (ITU Q713 Standard).

The international network SS7 then transmits the message to the receiving IGP based on die Called Party Address” of the SCCP message.

Routing effect&d.bv the receiving.IGP fof the HPLMN3 This latter analyses the SCCP message (it does not process the MAP message contained) in order to effect the address translation”, that is to say co find the address of the Semaphore Point HLR to which to send it.

If the Called Party Address contains only the subscriber’s number, this necessitates the IGP having a complete numbering plan of the HPLMN. If tliis plan is not installed, the message will be refused (passive process of restriction or rather restriction by default).

On the other hand, (Case 2 above) if the SMSC has been capable of providing lhe address El 64 or E214 of the HLR, the IGP will be obligatorily capable of making the address translation and will thus route the message to the IILR (on condition that there is a roaming IE000309 - ii agreement between RPLMN and HPLMN. if not the IGP rejects the message on the basis of the CalliDg Party Address”).

Explanation In feet, if a subscriber of the HPLMN visits the RPLMN (while roaming) and is located, its VLR address (in E214 deduced from its IMSI in E212) must be transmitted at the time of the first switching on of its terminal at its HLR (so that it can receive calls) via the 2 IGPs. The receiving IGP must therefore inevitably be capable of making the translation: address E2I4 of the receiving HLR -> semaphore point of (receiving) HLR.

Afterwards the networks dialogue with the addresses El 64.

The HLR therefore responds to the VLR ofthe visited network by giving its address El 64 (contained in a location updating MAP message).

The updates of locations made by the visited VLRs arc made to the subscriber's HLR henceforth using (his address El64.

This implies that the receiving 1GP is also capable of making the translation.

Address El 64 ofthe receiving HLR -» (receiving) HLR, semaphore point For reasons of symmetry in roaming, the transmitting IGP is also capable of making the translations of addresses E214 and El 64 of its HLRs into semaphore point.

H - 2.2 Processes of restriction In Figure 4 two processes can ba seen for restriction of the reception by the IEPLMN of short - 12 IE000309 messages (SMS-MT).

D. The HLR refuses to return the infonnation requested by the Send Routing Info for Short Msg. .

Process of restriction at the level of the HLR (HPLMN) of the called mobile If the MSISDN belongs'to the addressed network, the restrictions can be made exclusively on the address of the originating Service Centre (RPLMN).

The HLR can therefore refuse die interrogation: for the SMSCs of all the calling networks (except its' own) for all except certain calling networks (black list) for none except certain calling networks (red list) Process of restriction The HLR has available blackfred lists pennitting it to respond selectively to the requests for location information depending upon the originating SMSC. This functionality is progressively added to the latest versions of the HLR software but is not yet generalised.

E. The called MSC refuses the request to send the SM.S-MT As the MAT-FORWARD-SHORT-MESSAGE message contains the IMSI of the called mobile, it would be possible (with regard to the restrictions which might ba made by the HLR) to add: for no calling subscriber of certain networks (black list) for no calling subscriber except those of certain networks (red list).

Jr is not possible for the receiving VLR to implement this restriction because the MSISDN IE000309 - 13 information (subscriber numbers) of the calling mobile does not form part of MAP-SEND-INFO-FOR-MT-SMS.

Note that foe MAP-FORWARD-SHORT-MESSAGE* may contain an empty ('’unknown) calling subscriber and Aus that this use is not very flexible.

F. An international gateway (IGP) between the networks refuses the SMS-MT This can be the international gateway at Ac RPLMN end or more usually of the HPLMNd.

The refusal is made on Ac passage of a SCCP message encapsulating the MAP message Send Routing Info for Short Msg coming from Ac SMSC of a RPLMN. The analysis by Ae 1GP is made solely on the addresses of Ae SCCP messages, as Ae IGPs do not have the function of analysing the oontent (MAP messages or o Acts); Calling Party Address and Called Party Address do not have a roaming agreement The SMSC has sent its message (Case 1 above) wiA Ae MSTSDN of Ae called subscriber as Called Party Address and Ae IGP has not implemented a numbering plan, Ae message is then refused (restriction by default). ΙΠ - 3 - 31-11 stape: (possible) sending of a status report Via his mobile the subscriber who sends a SMS-MO can ask to receive a confirmation when Ae SMS-MT has been correctly received by Ae called subscriber's mobile (technically a TP-SRR Status Report request bit is positioned in the message sent).

The process is identical, Ae roles being reversed wiA respect to Ae 2'* stage: Ae SMSC RPLMN sends a massage such as message sent at 08:06:52- Received at 08:07:20 to Ae sender of Ae SMS by interrogating nor Ac HLRa (of the intended recipient) but Ae HLRC of Ac sender. - 14 IE000309 For this (optional) function the SMSC must also have authorisation to send a SMS-MT to the subscribers of tho network e.

The aim of the present invention is to develop a system of dynamic routing of short message SMS permitting such messages to be transmitted to called parties belonging to networks wh ich cannot normally reach a cal 1 ing tnobil c.

To this end the invention relates to a system of the type defined above which is characterised in that: A) a numbering plan (PN) containing the numbers of the short message transmission centres (SMSC) and the possible interconnections between the different transmission centres (SMSC) and the switching centres (MSC) of the networks of the called mobiles (Ml a,.., M4a), B) a numbering plan manager (GPN) which from the number of the called party defines the relay transmission centre or centres (SMSC) in order to reach the switching centre (MSC) Visited by the intended recipient nf the short message (SMS).

IV-List of Figures The present invention will be described below in greater detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: • Figure 1 is a diagram of a mobile telephone network, • Figure 2 is a very diagrammatic presentation of the structure of a short message SMS, • Figure 3 presents two processes for restriction of sending short messages according to the prior art, • Figure 4 shows two processes for restriction of reception of short messages according to the prior art, IE000309 - 15 • Figure 5 is a very simplified diagram of the system according to the invention, • Figure 6 shows a first process of dynamic routing with a SMSC centre in the chain of transmission, • Figure 7 shows a second process of dynamic routing with two SMSC centres in the chain of transmission, • Figure 8 shows a process of transmission with the relay SMSC centres, • Figure 9 is a routing diagram for a short message SMS via the Internet, - Figure 10 is the page for sending messages by the Internet with identification of the access provider. ,-.. .

V - Detailed description The invention will be explained with the aid of Figure 5 based on the structure of the short message MSM of Figure 2.

According to Figure 5, the invention, relates to a system of transmission of short messages permitting a mobile Mie. belonging to tho network of a certain operator working in a zone Zl, to transmit its short messages not only to a mobile Mia (receiving mobile) belonging to the network of the calling party’s operator or to a mobile M2a belonging to an operator’s network having an interworking agreement with the network of the operator of the calling party's mobile but also to the called parties M3a and M4a which belong to networks which do not have an interworking agreement with the operator of the mobile Mie or a called party M5a of a closed network which is reached via the Internet. The different called parties are set out by convention in the destination zone 22.

The called parties Mia, M2a, M3a, M4a. can he mobiles or pagers.

These different cases will be examined below.

The systEm for dynamic routing of short messages SMS according to the invention comprises IE000309 - 15 a numbering plan PN and a numbering plan manager GPN.

The numbering plan contains, in part or in total, the numbers of short message transmission centres SMSC and the possible interconnections between the different transmission centres SMSC; the networks and the numbering plan manager GPN analyse the number ofthe calling party and define the relay transmission centre(s) in order to reach the transmission centre SMSC of the called party Mia, M2a, M3 a, M4a, M5a of the short message SMS.

The transmission centres SMSC arc the transmission centres of the different networks of existing mobile operators. This network is completed by special short message centres SMSC having interworking agreements with the different networks.

In order to explain the structure and the operation of thc'dyrianric routing system according to the invention, Figure 5 shows schematically the transmission of a short message from a mobile Mie to any called party Mla-M5a, that is to say belonging to any operator’s network, whatsoever by the different paths for routing of . a short message to a called party from a calling mobile Mie. The first case is that of a called party Mia which belongs to a centre MSCl having its database HLR. This centre belongs to a mobile telephone network with which the network of the calling mobile Mie has an interworking agreement According to this agreement the centre SMSC1 tn which the mobile Mie is addressed for sending a short message SMS (SMS-MO) interrogates the database HLR of the centre MSCl to Which the mobile Mia belongs. Then it transmits the message SMS-MT.

The second case is That of a distant centre SMSC2 which docs not belong to the zone Z'l but to tho destination zone or zone z2 which, always by virtue of interworking agreements, accepts the messages from the operator to which the mobile Mie subscribes. In this case the mobile Mie sends its message SMS-MO directly to this centre SMSC2 which transmits it to the called party M2e via the centre MSC which can access a database HLR.

Tn a. third case, in order to send a message to tho mobile M3a the manager GPN I of the mobile Mlc with its numbering plan PN sends a message to a relay centre SMSC (SMSCR3) IE000309 - 17 having a numbering plan PN2 and a plan manager GPN2. By virtue of interfunctionaliry agreements the relay centre SMSCR3 knows the address of the database HT R of the centre MSC3 to which the mobile M3a belongs. After having obtained the response of the database HLR, the centre SMSCR3 sends the short message/nbwbf &e SMS-MT type, to the centre MS C3 of the called party M3 a.

Another case of transmission of a message to a called party M4a consists, in the present .hypothesis for the mobile Mel which has no numbering or program manager plan, of sending the message to a relay SMSC centre (of type SMSCR4) of which the user Mel knows the number and to which it is authorised to transit. This centre SMSCR4 interrogates the database HLR of the centre MSC4 of the called party and transmits the message which it has received in its form SMS-MO (and not as a message which would be sent from a SMSO centre, i.e. in the form SMS-MT). By this transmission to SMSCR4 the centre SMSCR3 substitutes its number initially written into the field E2 of the message SMS-MO which it has received from the mobile MEI by the number in the field E2 of the centre SMS-CR4, the reason why the message transmitted by the centre SMS-CR3 to the centre SMS-CR4 is of the SMS-MO type.

The centre SMS-CR4 then transmits the message to the called party M4a as a usual SMSC centre would do.

Another possible case is that of a called party M5a for which the centre SMSC5 is not directly accessible but necessitates the passage through a relay centre SMSCR5 equipped With a numbering plan GPN5. The relay centre SMSCR5 is reached by the calling party Mie and it transmits the message to SMSCS by a network of the Internet IP type.

Finally, in order to reach a called party Mda belonging to a network which is closed on itself, the mobile Mie sends a message to a relay centre SMSCR6 which transmits the message in SMS-MT form to an intermediate mobile Mi conneoted to a centre SMSC-R6bis, transmitting the message via the Internet (IP) to the centre SMSX of the closed network. This centre SMSX which receives an authorised SMS message then transmits ii to the called party M5a - 18 IE000309 via the centre MSC.

In order to facilitate the presentation, the zones zl, z2 are separated by a zone z3 in which the different relay centres SMSCR appear.

Returning to Figure 2, to summarise, the structure of the message SMS is if required modified according to the invention in the following manner: - the field E1 remains frozen until final use, - the field E2 is modified either by the calling mobile equipped with a plan PN and a plan manager GPN or by the PC to which it is linked and which contains the plan PN and the manager GPN.

The field E2 can also be modified by the special centre SMSC-R belonging to the system.

The expression modified here means that the field E2 is not necessarily and automatically the number of the centre SMSC1 to which the mobile MIc is linked because of its subscription to the network of the mobile telephone operator.

The field E3 is normally the number of the called mobilo. However, this field can be replaced by the manager GPN I cither with lhe calling mobile Mie or by that of a special relay centre SMSC-R (SMSCR3) and the number of fhe final destination displaced in the zone TM (EE3) reserved for the text of the message, in order to be interpreted latex by a relay centre SMSCR4.

Generally a relay centre equipped with a numbering plan PN according to the invention has the possibility of routing cither a message of SMS-MO type or of SMS-MT type which is sent: * directly to the mobile by knowing the address of the database HLR of the destination mobile from the numbering plan, IE000309 - 19 * via Ae Internet by knowing Ae address of an Internet site -permitting short messages to be sent to a called party’.

The description of Ae dynamic routing system according to -the invention will be illustrated below in greater detail with Ae aid of Ac description of At Afferent chains of transmission based on Figure 6.

The routing of messages via Ae Internet .will be explained· wiA Ac aid of Figure 9.

VI - Dynamic routing processes ! VI-1 Fixed routing.

Tn Ae classical implementations, Ae mobile has registered (in Ae SIM card) Ac number of Ac Service Centre of its subscription operator, modification is possible but not convenient, all Ac more so since when a user wishes.Io-send a short message to a subscriber of anoAcr network he does not know which network it is and, if he did know, what his. correspondent's Service Centre number is.

The user can send a message via his local SMSC to Ae subscribers of networks for which his operator has implemented Ae SMS-MT service.

VI-2 Indirect dynamic routine In Ae situation where Aere is no roaming agreement between the sending (e) and receiving (d) networks, a restriction of access on the destination network or an absence of SMSC on Ae latter, it is not possible to send a short message by direct dynamic routing (nor by fixed routing).

P1 me&od (only 1 SMSC in Ac chain) (Figure 6) IE000309 - 20 In the present invention the software (in the mobile or in 'the PC connected by cable) chooses Service Centre (called relay) other than that of its (transmitting) subscription operator or that of the (receiving) operator of the destination subscriber. This relay Service Centre has been chosen because it accepts short messages coming· fironi subscribers of the transmitting operator (no restriction B or C) and it has implemented the SMS-MT function to subscribers of the receiving operator (and the latter has not installed any restriction).

In the present invention, sending of.a short message is therefore possible even though the transmitting and receiving operators do not have an interworking agreement for short messages.

By way of example the relay SC can be in another country than the transmitting and receiving operators, as illustrated in Figure 6. 2luJ method (2 SMSCs in the chain) (Figure 7) In the 1st method tho direct relay SMSC implements the SMS-MT function to the network of the receiving operator, which necessitates the creation of tables of addresses of the HLR or HLRs of the receiving operator and a numbering plan of the receiving operator making it possible to know the address of the HLR to be interrogated.

The 2nd method according to the invention consists of programming the relay SMSC so that it sends a short massage (SMS-MO) to the SMSC of the receiving operator. This is then sufficient to constitute the system for knowing ihe sole address of the receiving SMSC.

In particular if the intended recipient of the short message belongs to the same network as the calling mobile, the message will be re-routed to the SMSC of the (transmitting and receiving) operator which is common to both. This operator will inevitably accept the message because the address of the calling mobile belongs to its network (sec Figure 5, the case of SMS-CR3 re-routing to SMSC1). In this case, by programming a fixed address for the SMSC into their mobile (that of the relay SMSC instead of the SMSC of their network) the subscribers can IE000309 - 21 send simultaneously to their network and to other networks.

The transmitting and receiving operators, if they are different must have a maming agreement wi th the relay SMSC but not necessarily with One'another. kt order to fooilitatc sending by the relay SMSC (generally that ofthe linking operator), this latter can send the message to the following SMSC (SMS-CR3 in Figure 5) by SMS-MT.

A relay centre SMS-CR3 behaves simultaneously as a classical SMSC (capable of receiving SMSMOs) and as an integrated HLR and MSC (capable of receiving SMS-MTs) of SMSCI; which permits the (SMSC1) of the linking operator simply to send SMS-MT messages, adding the address of the SMS-CR3 into its list of joinable HLRs.

In order to behave like an HLR with regard to (SMSCI) for all the called parties other than those of the network SMSCI, the SMS-CR3 when it receives a request for location (SEKD-ROU’HNG-INrO-FOR-MT) of the (SMSCI) returns the received MSISDN as IMSI and its own global title (GT) as MSC number which will moke it (like an MSC) the called party of the SMS-MT whioh is going to be sent by (SMSCI).

The relay centre (SMS-C.R3) can force the downstream relay oontre (SMS-CR4) to accept its SMS-MO (even if they do not have an interconnection, agreement for the transmission of short messages) by putting In the SMS-MO an originating mobile address as ’’unknown” or by putting the address of one of the subscribers of the SMS-CR4 (for example that of the called party itself).

A relay centre SMS-CR4 can on the other hand protect itself against the sending of SMS-MO by one or several unauthorised (SMS-CR3) by analysing the Global Title (GT) contained in the address of the calling (SMS-CR3) (Calling Party Address in Q713 format) which it receives obligatorily at the time of opening (reception of a MAP message of MAP-OPEN-IND or TCAP Begin type sent by SMS-CR3) by (SMS-CR3) of a transaction of sending SMS-MO. - 22 IE000309 It can then refuse this opening from a black list (the batted SMS-CR3s) which is easy to constitute or from a red list of the authorised SMSCs but which must also comprise all the MSCs of the operators with which it has roaming Agreements in order to permit its subscribers to continue to send SMS-MOs from visited networks. This latter method permits it to bar a priori the sending of SMS-MO by SMS-CR3s but is complicated because it is necessary to constitute a substantial list of MSCs which must be kept up to date. 3rt method (3 SMSC iaJhe chain) (Figure 8) This permits an SMS to be sent to a subscriber of a network closed to SMSs. for example by the method F (the receiving IGP does not effect the complete MSISDN translation), on ' condition that the SMSC of the receiving HPLMN has a mean's for sending SMS-MTs via the Internet.

The SMS-MO (coming from an operator in China) i's sent to a relay 1 SMSC (in. Europe) which sends it by SMS-MT over a GSM mobile connected to a SMSC relay-internet 2 (in Africa) and transmits it (reception of SMS-MT) to this SMSC relay-internet 2. This latter via the Internet sends the SMS to the SMSC of the receiving HTLMN which causes it to reach the called party by a SMS-MT (France).

Thus there axe 2 SMS-MTs and 3 SMSCs in the chain, as illustrated by Figure 8 below.

VI - 3 - Example of global arrangement (Figure 9) These different processes according to the invention make it passible to achieve a global system according to Figure 9.

The GSM mobiles can send SMSs to other GSM mobiles or others (CDMA, DAMPS, etc.) (of other networks) or to pagers.

IE000309 - 23 The Internet accesses can also obtain Ae same service; VTI - Implementing dynamic routing VH -1 - In a PC ora_Palni-Top connected to Ae mobile Software resulting from the invention, Aanks to its world numbering plan, determines Ae receiving operaror and as a function of Ae chosen routing (possibility, cost) determines the number of Ae relay SMSC and uses it to send Ae SMS. If there is no possible route, it displays Ais and.blocks sending of Ac message.

The software A the PC (or the mobile, see VH.2) can display Ac list of joina’olc operators (Available Operators) from its dynamic routing file.

VH - 2 In Ae mobile .

This same logic can alternatively be implemented directly in Ae user's mobile. νΠ - 3 In a SMlSC relay There are two processes which exist so that a SMS arrives on Ac relay SMSC: a) The user ciAer manually or automatically for any message sent to a subscriber who is not on the same network changes Ae number of the Service Centre and puts that of Ae relay SMSC. This is easy if he has Ae software VH.l or if Ais latter is implemented in his mobile as in VH.2. b) The usual SMSC sends over the relay SMSC ciAer by a SMS-MO function as described in Ae 2M mcAod of VL2 or by SMS-MT or by an INTERNET message. Ae relay SMSC also having an INTERNET access.

IE000309 - 24 VHI - Routing of SMSs via the INTERNET Numerous SMSCs offer the possibility of depositing messages via the INTERNET, then of sending them by SMS-MT. '; ~ In the present invention a relay SMSC can send SMSs via the INTERNET to a SMSC which has the above function. This is particularly useful if the destination SMSC does not have a roaming agreement with the SMS, since due to this process the sending of SMS is made possible.

Equally, according to the present invention, a relay SMSC can send messages via the INTERNET to pager operators, thus making possible the sending of SMS from a GSM to a pager terminal.

At the level of the SMSCs which implement this process the functionality of software used is that of SMS to e-mail, since ii is a question of sending a SMS to a subscriber of another network according to the present invention.

All of the processes and their implementation according to the present invention make it possible to achieve a network for sending short messages to GSM mobiles or pagers.

In the present invention a relay SMSC can monitor the authorisations for sending messages coming from INTERNET users as a function of their INTERNET access provider.

A relay centre SMS-CR3 also behaves as an INTERNET server capable of receiving messages coming from an INTERNET browser and the characteristic TP address of the INTERNET access provider (IAP) (without the originator of the message himself being identified precisely), the access provider being identified precisely by ihe relay centre by interrogating one of the world tlatabases (BD Routes INTERNET) for INTERNET routing (America, Europe, Asia-Pacific) with the IT address, obtaining in return the name of the INTERNET access provider. The relay centre 5MS-CR3 can display a page giving the IE000309 - 25 identification of the access network (Figure 10) and can according to its authorisation tables selectively accept or refuse the message coming from the INTERNET as a function of agreements made or not with the INTERNET access providers.

HERR τνί£> IE000309 - 26 GLOSSARY El64 Usual MSISDN address (Mobile'Station. ISDN Number) in CC form (Country Code, France = +33) and Number in the country (NDC . +SN) E214 Address obtained from the E2I2 address (IMSI). The fields MCC (Mobile Country Code (France = 208)) and MNC (Mobile Network Code (Franco Telecom ” 01)) arc translated into CC+NDC, the field MSIN (National Mobile Subscriber Identity) characteristic of the subscriber remaining the same, the first 2 characters Hl H2 indicate' the HLR of the subscriber.

GMSC Gateway MSC: MSC capable of directing a request for voice connection to the international telephone network and vice versa.

HLR Home Location Register, central database of the subscriber's network containing its location (even on another visited network! and its profile.

HPLMN Home Public Land Mobile Network, the FLMN of the subscriber’s operator (where he subscribes).

IAP Internet Access Provider, for example in France: Wanadoo, CompuServe, AOL.

IGP International Gateway permitting a PLMN to be connected to the other networks for short message services. It effects routing of SCCP messages to national Semaphore Point systems due to its numbering plans which cause correspondence between IE000309 - 27 MGT Address -4 Semaphore Point Address IMS! International Mobile Subscriber Identity (in relation to ihe MSISDN and contained in the HLR arid the SIM card of the subscriber in ITU E212 format, beginning with 208 for France.

ISP Internet Sendee Provider..

MAP Mobile Application Part (GSM standard 09.02).

MGT Mobile Global Title (international address of the systems in TTU E214 (ITU E212 in ANSI standard) or in ITU El 64.

MS Mobile Subscriber, the GSM terminal.

MTP3 Layer of protocol (HU Q704) effecting the network layer for the transport of messages. The addressing is in the form of address of Semaphore. Point (ITU Q713).

MSC or SGSN Mobile Switching Centre or Service GPRS Support Node, switching centre. · , .

MSISDN Mobile Subscriber ISDN. RNIS subscriber number in the international format TTU El 64 (for example beginning with 33 for France).

PAGER Unilateral radio-messaging terminal (example: Tatoo, Kobby in France).

PLMN Public Land Mobile Network, (fixed) transport network of the mobile operator. - 28 IE000309 RPLMN Relay Public Land Mobile Network, a PLMN which can receive SMS-MOs from a third-party subscriber (roaming or not on another network). It can haveRPLMN=HPLMN (the subscriber uses die SMS of its subscription operator).

Q713 SCCP address containing 3 fields: Semaphore Point number. Sub-System Number, Global Title (GT) in E214 orEl64 format Roaming Service permitting a subscriber of a network to telephone (make calls and receive them) from another network.

SC Service Centre, function of storing and managing repetitions of short messages.

SCCP Protocol layer effecting the routing of the messages with or without established connection, the addressing being in the form Q713 with a MGT (F.l 64 or E214).

SMSC Short Message Service Centre, regroups SC + SMS-GMSC + SMS-IWMSG. ; : /-- 7,/SMS-GMSC SMS Gateway MSC, function of interface with tire MSC for connection SC, permitting the sending of SMS-MTs.

SMS-IWMS SMS Interworking MSC, function of interface with the MSC for connection SC, perm itting the reception of S MS -MOs.

SMS-MO Short Message Service Mobile Originated, service for sending a short message from a calling mobile. - 25 IE000309 SMS-MT Short Message Service Mobile Terminated, service for sending a short message to a mobile from a Service Centre.

UI Unit Information, the useful information of the short message which contains the number of the calling mobile (SMS-MT) or called mobile (SMS-MO).

VLR · Visited Location Register, local database of the visited network containing a copy of the subscriber profile transmitted by the HLR of the subscriber's network.

VPLMN Visited Public Land Mobile Network, the PLMN of the operator visited by a roaming subscriber. If a subscriber is not roaming VPLMN = HPLMN. e Index for called party. e Index for calling party (for example VPLMNe is the VPLMN which the sender of a short message visits).

Claims (14)

1. Dynamic routing system for short messages (SMS)sent by a calling party using a mobile GSM telephone connected to Ae network of an operator of mobiles for an intended recipient of short messages (other GSM mobile subscribers or a pager) not belonging to Ae same mobile telephone network, nor necessarily to networks linked by roaming agreements nor necessarily by interconnection agreements for Ac transmission of short messages (SMS), . Ae short message (SMS) being composed of a routing envelope wiA a first field (El) containing the number of Ae calling party's mobile, a second field (E2) intended to receive Ae number of Ae first short message transmission centre (SMSC) of Ae network of the operator of Ae calling party’s mobile, a Aird field. (E3) containing Ae called mobile number, as well as a field reserved for Ae text of Ae message (TM), . - Ae system comprising short message transmission centres (SMSC) belonging to Ae same network or to a different network, Ac system being characterised by: A) a numbering plan (PN) containing Ae numbers of the ' short message transmission centres (SMSC) and Ac possible interconnections between Ac different transmission centres (SMSC) and Ae switching centres (MSC) of Ae networks of Ae call cd mobiles (Mia,... M4a), 13) a numbering plan manager (GPN) which from. Ae number of Ae called party defines Ae relay transmission centre or centres (SMSC) in order to reach At switching centre (MSC) visited by Ac intended recipient of Ae short message (SMS).

2. Routing system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that Ae GPN checks the PN plan to ascertain if Ac linking operator is capable of sending Ae SMSs to Ae network of the final recipient, and in Ac affirmative it chooses Ae centre (SMSC1) of Ae linking operator.

3. Routing system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in Aat if Ac (SMSC) of Ae IE000309 - 31 network of the called party (SMSCI) accepts the transmission of short messages from the ' network of the caller (Ml e), this latter directly addresses the short message to the called party by SMS-MT.

4. Routing system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that if the calling mobile and the called mobile belong to one and the same network, the relay centre (SMSCR3) forwards the message to the (SMSC) of the network by (SMS-MO).

5. Routing system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that if a relay (SMSC) exists which is capable of sending short messages (SMS-MT) to the called mobile, the manager (GPN) chooses this centre (SMSCR3) having a numbering plan and numbering plan manager.

6. Routing system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that it includes a relay (SMSC) centre with a numbering plan and a program manager which accesses another relay centre (SMSC) downsrream by putting the. number of the new (SMSC) in the field (E2) of the message, the downstream relay centre likewise having a numbering plan and a numbering plan manager, the relay centre (SMSCR3) sends the message (SMS-MO) to another relay centre (SMSCR4) likewise equipped with a numbering plan (PN4) and a manager (GPN4) which addresses the message to the network of the called mobile.

7. Routing system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the relay centre (SMSCR5) sends the message via the Internet to the (SMSC) of the network of the called party.

8. . Routing system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in dial the relay centre (SMSCR6) sends the message to the intermediate mobile (MT) belonging to a network permitting a message to be deposited in the (SMSC) of the called party via the Interact.

9. Routing system as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that a relay centre SMS-CR3 behaves simultaneously as a classical SMSC (capable of receiving SMSMOs) and as an integrated HLR and MSC (capable of receiving SMS-MTs) of SMSC 1; which permits the IE000309 - 32 (SMSC 1) of the linking operator simply to send (SMS-MT) messages, arising the address of the SMS-CR3 into its list of joinablc HLRs.

10. Routing system as claimed in Claim 9, characterised lirthat in order to behave like an HLR with regard to (SMSC1) for all the called parties other than those of the network SMSC1, the SMS-CR3 when it receives a request for location (SBND-ROUTING-TNFO-FOR-MT) of the (SMSC 1) can return as IMSI the received MSISDN or another number with a table of correspondence and as MSC number its own global title (GT) (or another fixed one) which will make it (like an MSC) the called party of the SMS-MT which is going to be sent by (SMSC I).

11. Routing system as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that the relay centre (SMS-CR3) can force the downstream relay centre (SMS-CR4) to accept its SMS-MO (even if they do not have an interconnection agreement for the transmission of short messages) by putting in the field SM-RP-θΑ (GSM standard 09.02) .ofthe SMS-MO either an originating mobile address as unknown or by putting the- address of one of the subscribers of the SMS-CR4, for example that of the called party itself.

12. Routing system as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that a relay centre SMS-CR3 also behaves as an INTERNET server capable of receiving messages coming from an INTERNET browser and the characteristic EP address of the-INTERNET aacess provider (without the originator of the message himself being identified precisely), the access provider being identified precisely by the relay centre by interrogating one of the world databases (BD Routes INTERNET) for INTERNET routing (America, Europe, Asia-Pacific) with the IP address, obtaining in return the name of the INTERNET access provider.

13. Routing system as claimed in Claim 12, characterised in, that the Telay centre SMS-CR3 can display a page giving the identification of the access network (Figure 10) and. can according to its authorisation tables selectively accept or refuse the message coming from the INTERNET as a function of agreements made or not with the INTERNET access providers. - 33 IE000309

14. Routing system as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that a relay centre SMS-CR4 can protect itself against the sending of SMS-MO by one or several unauthorised (SMS-CR3) by analysing the Global Title (GT) contained in the 'address of the calling (SMS-CR3) (Calling Party Address” in Q713 format) which it receives obligatorily at the time of opening (reception of a MAR message of MAP-OPEN-IND or TCAP Begin type sent by SMS-CR3) by (SMS-CR3) of a transaction of sending SMS-MO. It can then refuse this opening from a black list (the barred SMS-CR3s) which is easy to constitute or from a. red list of the authorised SMSCs but which must also comprise all the MSCs of the operators with which it has roaming agreements in order to permit its subscribers to continue to send SMS-MOs from visited networks.